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News | May 6, 2021

QLE Fact Sheet: Your Guide for Learning About TRICARE Qualifying Life Events

By TRICARE Communications

Did you know that certain life events may change your TRICARE health plan options? They’re known as Qualifying Life Events (QLEs). Now, why are QLEs important to you? QLEs are the only times you can make changes to your TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select coverage outside of TRICARE Open Season. If you’re ready to learn more, the TRICARE Qualifying Life Events Fact Sheet can help.
 
Here are three reasons why you should check out this fact sheet and what it can help you learn about QLEs.
 
1. Learn what a TRICARE QLE is
Military families can experience a lot of changes. But there are only a set number of life events that count as QLEs for TRICARE. As outlined in the fact sheet, TRICARE QLEs include military, family, and government-directed changes. Some common examples of QLEs include moving, marriage, retirement from active duty, and becoming eligible for Medicare. What else counts as a QLE? Refer to the comprehensive table in the fact sheet for a complete list.
 
2. Read about your options after a QLE
As stated in the fact sheet, “A QLE opens a 90-day period for you and your family to make eligible enrollment changes.” What does this mean? After a QLE, you may have the option to stay in the same plan, change plans, or enroll in a health plan depending on your situation. Also addressed in the fact sheet is what happens if you don’t take any action after a QLE.
 
3. Find out what to do following a QLE  
If you want to enroll in or change your health plan after a QLE, there are actions you must take. First, update your Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) record with the QLE. Once your change shows in DEERS, you can then make any eligible enrollment changes to your TRICARE coverage. In addition to updating DEERS, the fact sheet highlights other actions, like finding a plan and enrolling in a plan.
 
There’s more to learn about QLEs and how they could affect your health coverage. So, download the TRICARE Qualifying Life Events Fact Sheet. After checking out the fact sheet, share your thoughts about it.
 
“TRICARE wants to hear from its beneficiaries,” said Diana Logreira, chief of Digital Communications at the Defense Health Agency. “Take the Publications Feedback Survey and share your comments, suggestions, and questions about this publication with us.”
 
While you’re on the TRICARE website, you can find more resources that will help you take command of your health.
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